Yelp's Top 25 Places to Eat in Tucson (2023)

Baja Cafe includes some Tucson favorites on its menu: tortillas from La Mesa Tortilla, prickly pear from Cheri’s Desert Harvest, and at the Campbell location, beer from Dragoon Brewery. The owners also frequent Hatch, New Mexico, where they source their green chilies before roasting them in-house.

Banhdicted specializes in banh mi, juice, smoothies, and milk tea. In addition the standard varieties, they also offer a Cajun shrimp banh mi and a breakfast banh mi with eggs and pork belly.

They currently have three locations:

• 1980 W Orange Grove Rd #180, Tucson, AZ 85704

• 2619 N 1st Ave, Tucson, AZ 85719

• 6878 E Sunrise Dr Suite 150, Tucson, AZ 85750

Back in the Fall of 2020, longtime Pizza Luna employee, Kyle Leuer, along with his partner Becca Groff, approached Marc and Tracy Frankel — owners of Pizza Luna — about the bagel concept and have since helped them move forward with their plans. The idea of opening the shop really took off after making bagels from leftover pizza dough.

If you’re looking for a class breakfast experience, there’s plenty of that on the menu, but if you’re in the mood to try something unique, give the Buendia’s Poblano Pepper Stuffed with Corn Tamale and Cheese. You’ll go home with a smile just as big as the one you were greeted with when you arrived.

Coronet Cafe sits in the heart of Barrio Viejo as a counter-service cafe focused on fresh local produce and sustainable proteins. The compact space pairs a warmly appointed interior with a shaded outdoor patio, giving it a quiet, unhurried atmosphere. It shares a property with the Coronet Restaurant and the Nightjar cocktail bar, and a small market sells house-made goods, local beer and wine, Caffe Luce coffee, and curated gifts.

In the morning, go for the Çilbir Turkish egg breakfast. After 2 p.m., check out the evening menu for the Coronet Burger with prime black Angus, Welsh cheddar, red onion jam, dijonnaise, and pickles with fries and ají amarillo aioli. At any of their hours, snack on Barrio Bread with gourmet tinned seafood.

Houlden's Rise Above is a dedicated vegan bakery known for its warm atmosphere and wide array of vegan treats, The bakery, boasting an array of savory turnovers, flaky bear claws, creamy cheesecakes, and more, serves as a haven for both vegans and non-vegans, offering unique options unlike any others.

If you’re headed to Midtown, don’t forget to bring your appetite and your reusable grocery bags. This spot has everything from vegan burgers and salads to sweet treats, plus a fully-stocked selection of vegan groceries to take home with you.

Chef and owner Qais Esar owns and operates the restaurant with his brother and chef Nawid Esar, and both have their share of knowledge in the kitchen. For instance, they grew up with available meats from their uncle provided, who worked at least 40 years as a butcher. Much of what you’ll find on the menu offers the standard fare such as hummus, dolmades, flaming saganaki, pita sandwiches, braised lamb shank, souvlaki, moussaka, pastitsio, and more.

It was a chance meeting with the owner of Cartel Coffee, who ironically had a large wood-fired oven inside the coffee shop, that got things rolling forward with the Penelope Pizza concept. From pizzas to monthly pasta nights, it's a must-visit in downtown Tucson.

Raptor Canyon Cafe, located downtown, offers a cozy, laid back atmosphere. Husband-and-wife team Dennis and Konni Calello operate the family-owned restaurant along with their sons Ken and Frank Calello. Known for its homemade baked goods and hearty breakfast and lunch options, Raptor Canyon Cafe has become a local favorite for those seeking delicious, made-from-scratch meals with personable, kind service.

Popular dishes include the Southwest Burrito, filled with beef chorizo, bacon, green chiles, pico de gallo, avocado, eggs, cheese, and hash. The breakfast tacos are also a hit. For those with a sweet tooth, check out the display case for a variety of nostalgic house-made cookies.

Taco Rico serves street-style Mexican fare with a focus on tacos, burritos, and birria. The eatery occupies a casual layout with counter service and seating outdoors.

Favorites include the tacos, birria, and homemade horchata, jamaica, and flan.

Turkish Kebab House features a courtyard patio with umbrella‑shaded tables under trees and string lights. They also stay open until 2 a.m. Monday through Saturday.

Also, if Turkish Kebab House sounds familiar it’s because it used to be named Turkish Grill House, a restaurant that used to share the same building as Old Times Kafe. Try the Ali Nazik Kebab with roasted beef, eggplant, yogurt, butter, garlic, tomato, and jalapeño.

Regardless of the time of day, Zayna’s crispy Cauliflower, Falafel Sandwiches, Grape Leaves, Salads, and other delectable options hit the spot.